Shields zipped through his first Cactus League assignment on Friday with just 10 pitches in only one inning. While most starting pitchers go either two innings or 40 pitches in their first outing, he has a different routine.

"I threw 30 pitches today, I actually threw 20 in the bullpen. We already had it pre-set that I was going to throw one inning," Shields said. "I didn't really plan on me throwing only 10 pitches today but I felt good out there. Obviously the first time you get out there against live hitting, you're going to have a couple of little mistakes you make but overall it went pretty well."

When he next pitches, Shields will up the ante.

"I'll probably go 45 pitches, three innings something like that," he said. "I guess it all depends how the innings go. I remember one Spring Trainiing I threw seven innings and 52 pitches. It depends on the game."